230,000 tonnes of waste disposed of illegally

Some 230,000 tonnes of household waste is believed to have been disposed of illegally in 2004 when almost a quarter of homes did not have a bin collection service.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Waste Database for 2004 shows that 1.7 million tonnes of household waste was produced that year, and an eighth of this was never collected.

Local authorities believe the missing waste could have been dumped illegally or burnt in backyards.

It's estimated that 25 unauthorised landfills were in operation in 2004, and eight of these contained household waste amounting to 50,000 tonnes.

The report estimates that 5% of the missing household waste was 'fly-tipped' dumped in fields or on the side of the road.

The EPA recommended more policing of backyard rubbish burning, which is said to have been a "significant concern" to 80% of local authorities and has been described by the Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA) as "a threat to legitimate trade operators."

The EPA has asked local authorities to provide details of why refuse collection services were being provided for just 77% of homes.

While authorities are obliged to collect waste from all homes under the Waste Management Act (1996-2005), they can be exempt from doing so in areas where the cost of providing a service is too high.

The EPA also called for more auditing of construction waste disposal, after it found that over 1.6 million tonnes of waste from the industry was unaccounted for.

While more than 11 million tonnes of waste was collected from building and demolition work, only 9.5 million tonnes of this was recorded as disposed of or recycled.

Commenting on the findings, Environment Minister Dick Roche described illegal waste activity as "completely unacceptable."

He said enforcement remains his top priority: "Up to 120 staff are now combating rogue operators and ensuring that unauthorised activities are tackled to the greatest extent possible, with some €7.5 million being provided annually from the environment fund for this purpose," he said.

The report shows that 34% of all household waste was recycled in 2004, compared to 27% in 2003.

A total of 56% of packaging waste was recycled, which brings us ahead of an EU target of 50% set for 2005.

However, 74% of this is exported for recycling as no facilities exist here for processing glass, cardboard or paper.

Repak chief executive Andrew Harrington welcomed the figures, but said we must not become complacent: "Now that we have achieved our 2005 EU target one year ahead of target, we need to focus on the 2011 target of 60%," he said.

Mr Roche said the figures "clearly vindicate the policies adopted and implemented by this government" and that "we are well position to push on and meet new higher EU targets set for 2011."